Trying to rent viewer as a trial before purchase

**scott jones** · 6-Nov-2001, 08:52

Hi all,

I am interested in using the Horseman folding direct (not reflex) binocular view er on my Toyo VX125 4x5 camera. I have been told it fits the Toyo and this may b e able to get me away from using a cloth. I want to try this device out before I purchase because it is quite expensive.

Does anyone know where I might be able to rent one in the U.S.? I have tried Len s and Repro, and Badger without any luck. At Robert White where I usually buy my equipment, they will not let me return it if I don't like it. Any ideas on how I can test drive one????

Scott

**Paul Schilliger** · 6-Nov-2001, 10:34

Scott, I you ever turn up here in Switzerland, I would be happy to show you how excellent this viewer is on a VX. You could almost buy blind. But there are a few little things that you can d o to improve the viewer. Let me know if you get there.

**Bob Salomon - HP Marketing** · 6-Nov-2001, 11:34

Ken Hansen Photo rents everything they stock. Question is do they stock this item?

Of course you might ask the distributor, Schneider, who rents in the US. Steve Inglema is the contact there.

**heidis** · 7-Nov-2001, 06:19

Hi Scott,

I have the reflex version of the Horseman viewer for my Ebony 4x5; it's excellent and I'd recommend it to anyone. Admittedly it's a bit bulky (but very light) in my bag, but much less so than Arca-Swiss and some others. Do you want the non-reflex version simply to decrease bulk? I love using the viewer, and take it along whenever I'm doing 4x5...it really makes composition so much easier.

**Brian Ellis** · 13-Nov-2001, 15:27

I don't know about Robert White but I think that every mail order store I've dealt with (more than I can or care to remember but B&H, Adorama, KenMar Camera, Bill Cametta, MidWest Photo Exchange, Quality Camera come to mind)will let you return an item within ten days or so for any reason and get your money back. Some charge a restocking fee, some don't. Renting might be the best route but if you can't find a rental source, why not just buy it with the right to return if for any reason you don't like it?